Loads of Newcastle fans have been reacting on social media lately and it seems many are unsure of how to judge recent claims by The Sun, after the daily newspaper claimed Rafa Benitez convinced Patrick Vieira and Mikel Arteta not to take the St James’ Park hot seat he has departed.
The Spaniard, now in charge of Dalian Yifang, left his duties on Tyneside when his contract expired on June 30, having failed to reach an agreement with Mike Ashley on various aspects of how the club was being run.
Vieira and Arteta soon emerged as two of the early contenders to replace the 59-year-old, but both have now taken themselves out of the running, clearing a path for current Sheffield Wednesday boss Steve Bruce to become the club’s number one target.
Vieira scrubbed his name from the club’s managerial shortlist at the start of July, when he made it clear at a pre-season press conference that he wants to continue his work with OGC Nice.
“I’m in Nice for the long term,” the former Arsenal midfielder said. “I do not intend to look anywhere else. I’ve always felt good here and with the people around me. I don’t see myself anywhere but at OGC Nice.”
Arteta, meanwhile, was thought to be open to succeeding Benitez at St James’ Park as the former Liverpool boss’ contract approached its final days, but he already had concerns of his own over the position being the best starting spot for a career in management.
He is no longer thought to be interested though, as The Sun understand Pep Guardiola’s number two at Manchester City has ruled himself out of contention after speaking with Benitez, where our former gaffer criticised Toon executives and the way things were being run at the club.
Speculation that Benitez played a part in both Arteta and Vieira rejecting United has caused some division in the Toon faithful, as fans are unsure whether Benitez’s actions had the club, and the supporters who sung his name, in mind…
I think that’s good of Rafa me, told them it’s impossible to work under Ashley, wants there reputation not to end up in tatters, #NUFC deserve a journeyman like Bruce or Pulis.
— LEDMAN (@ledmannufc) July 10, 2019
Canny bad buy raffaif its true. The bloke should want us to still succeed not help us die more
— Andy Carpenter (@Andycarp1987) July 10, 2019
It’s very convenient that Rafa is the reason we couldn’t appoint a name with some excitement attached.
Just like it was very convenient to read that BZG “didn’t want” Rafa (who went of his own will after meeting Ashley, funny that).
— Chutney (@andy_emmers) July 9, 2019
no-brainer
— Boby Cletus (@rumandmonkey35) July 10, 2019
Of course they have, who would work under Ashley. Is this a record for the most amount of managers who have ruled themselves out of a job!!!!
— cabbage_76 (@ClintonWright3) July 9, 2019
I doubt it happened like that, the sun is almost saying that Rafa reaches out to them to say to not take it, but what probably happened was they asked Rafa and he simply told the truth.
— Alex W (@WesterosMagpie) July 9, 2019
But was happy to take millions for years
— Michael Carr (@Michael181168) July 9, 2019
Rafa, y u do dis
— Vinay Kanani (@VinayK1991) July 9, 2019
Rafa’s Revenge.
— Mark (@NerdNovelist) July 9, 2019
Let’s hope Bruce calls him for advice!
— joe 911_991.2 (@991_2_911) July 10, 2019
Yeah cheers rafa, leave us high n dry n then stop anyone else taking the job, nice of u to think of the fans.. Oh wait u can’t stop thinking of ur pay check at end if the month..
— myoung (@myoungy2805) July 10, 2019